There is never a dull moment in the cricket-cinema-commerce circus called Indian Premier League. If season 2 was held in faraway South Africa because of “security fears”, the third edition has run into rough weather with not one single player from Pakistan being “bought” by the franchises.

This, despite a Pakistani (Sohail Tanveer) being the highest wicket-taker in the inaugural tournament. This, despite Pakistan being the reigning world T20 champions. And this, despite some very exciting Pakistani players being up for grabs, including Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal.

The team owners have said there was “uncertainty” over the “availibility” of the Pakistani players and so no franchise wanted to take a risk. But every newspaper is quoting anonymous officials as saying there was an unwritten Union home ministry “diktat” to stay away from the Pakistanis, which has, of course, been promptly denied.

Understandably, the Pakistani stars are upset, and are talking of being insulted and made fun of. Coming close on the heels of a visa controversy, the air is already thick of a conspiracy. If the players were not going to be sold and bought, why were expectations built up? Will “buying” the Pakistanis making the tournament risky? Will keeping them away make it safer? What will be our excuse if, despite the absence of Pakistani cricketers, there is an attack?

Pakis are Champions of IPL T-20. How could they keep aside from IPL T-20. It’s like Australia not playing Cricket Word Cup. Down with IPL. Lalit Modi sucks. I remember that stupid closing ceremony in South Africa.

This is by far the best overt response India has given to Mumbai attacks :)

I was following a Paki cricket forum yesterday and it was real fun! Before the auction started, a thread was created to follow IPL Auction. All pakis were discussing about IPL and how Afridi will be the hot pick. When no Paki was picked, everyone started saying “it is a conspiracy”, ” I anyway had no interest in IPL”.. LOL

As long as Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism against India (whilst fighting it on its western border), its cricketers are not welcome. Sports and politics are interlinked. After an outrage like 26/11, with the Pak government continuing to be in denial, any bonhomie or show of unity on the cricket field is pointless. The country needs to clean up its act, denounce and eliminate anti-India militancy before any sporting ties are re-established. If this is a conspiracy, so be it. If the instructions came from P. Chidambaram himself, cheers to him.

This is unfortunate. While Pakistani Military has a vested interest in keeping a conflict alive with India, and their politicians but are stooges of their military – The ordinary people are more worried about their bread and butter. IPL is one of the ways there will be some sense of people-to-people relationship which is independent of insane Pakistan establishment, we should encourage instead of cutting that off..

I doubt if any one of the IPL black money pots and bookies had the guts to siphon-off their wealth into the Pakistani players many of whom are known sympathizers of groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

No wonder the Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt has expressed his disappointment but also acknowledged the strained relations after the deadly Mumbai attacks on Nov 26, 2008

After Samjauta express, cricket visas (for ostensible fans) are the second largest source of legal entry for the ISI stooges.
The last time I checked IPL stands for Indian Premier League. Hope Javed Miandad didn’t think P stands for their country.

This is like throwing a fit when nobody buys your stuff. This is almost like the dadagiri of Burma-Bazaar merchants, where they gang up against the customer if he doesn’t buy an article that he enquired about.

The auction was held in Mumbai at the Trident hotel :) My respect for Modi has gone up 10 fold.

And youtube is going to broadcast it on the web, the first time for any sport. Gets some dumb business people, movie stars to shell out millions (while pockketing a pretty good % for himself) for a player for playing for 30 days.
This dude kicks some serious ass… hard to resist calling him a marketing genious.

>>The ordinary people are more worried about their bread and butter. IPL is one of the ways there will be some sense of people-to-people relationship which is independent of insane Pakistan establishment, we should encourage instead of cutting that off>>

This is the same ordinary people who donate generously to LET fund after the friday namaaz in pakistan and you want people to people contacts with them…You are one true Candlebra a la Kuldeep Nayar ;)

This post and some of the comments here highlight the naivety of our suicidal secular media and some misguided Indians. Does anyone remember 26/11 Mumbai attacks? Or, the countless attacks prior and thousands of Indians who lost their lives? Pakistan threatens our survival by promoting terrorism. It’s really sad to see how a cricket match or a bollywood movie is all it takes to make our naïve population forget the reality!!

It is easy for anyone to point out the political tubulance between these two countries as being the reason. But I honestly feel that their poor form in the recent times and the concerns on their availabilities are the main reasons for anyone not to put money on to them. I would have done the same thing if I own a club or franchised team. Not only the pakistani cricketers were left out but also there are some good cricketers from Australia, New Zealnd and Soth Africa.

I think its wrong of us to ban Pakistani players to play in IPL or play in India rather. Govt. issues should stay away from sports at least. If some Pakistani terrorists had attacked Mumbai, that doesn’t mean it was their players fault. And I am not a Pakistani, I am an Indian who think this is completely wrong on our side. First of all, we watch IPL because we enjoy it. Let that enjoyment remain enjoyment, why spoil it by creating shitty controversies for no reason. I seriously think it is completely wrong of the franchises to ignore those players like that. I would rather apologise to Pakistan for this kind of behaviour from our side. If we don’t sort these small issues, there will never be any development or peace ever. We will remain tensed about the fact that there might be some terrorist attack any time soon, and the source of entertainment, that sport, that just stops India completely, just because we all love it so much, cricket, even that will just fade out due to these stupid politics and fear. And we should always keep in mind, the most interesting matches and the best matches are always against India and Pakistan, at least I wouldn’t want a ban of them.

Why are we making such a big fuss about IPL ignoring Paki players? Pakistan is a rogue state and this is exactly the treatment they deserve. They ought to isolate Pakistan even in other areas till they completely put an end to their anti-India agenda.

Being a Pakistani, I was surprised our players even went to the auction. Frankly, the lack of sense and dignity of these people is insulting to all Pakistanis. Now that they haven’t been picked (which i agree can be justified as a commercial decision) the PCB is crying like a baby. Seriously, the PCB and Sport Ministry’s response is more disappionting than the exclusion from IPL auction.

Stupid stuff from the IPL as they ignored the champion players. Pakistan is the world champion in T-20. This decision will hurt badly the reputation of IPL in the long run.
ICC should look into the matter and counter IPL as IPL is definitely damaging the cricket badly. Players not giving preference to play for their respective countries but IPL. This is shocking. Latest example Chris Gayle and his team men did not participate in ICC Champions Trophy, WHY? Reason MONEY.

Now players know that they have shortcut named IPL. So why waste energy for whole year, why not play a single IPL edition in a year and earn. Key players announcing retirement from Test cricket , why???? Reason is this shit IPL

This is very bad to hear that sport is become place of discrimination. Pakistan players should be selected for playing in Indian IPL.
I hate IPL. IPL is biased with certain section of the people.
I should have not happened in Indian cricket.

I don’t think what happened was right, but seeing the Paki govt. jumping up and down as if some grave error has been committed by Indian Govt, I have to ask this…

Why is it that when folks from Pakistan mount war on India it is “non state actors” who are ‘not the responsibility of Pak Govt.’?

Why is it Indian govt. conspiracy, when a few businessmen safeguarding their interest – refuse to pay good money to a few mercurial, unpredictable players – who may or may not be able to play on the day (depending on the security situation at the time).

Pakistan Military afterall still fires its artillery on Indian fences to make way for their terrorists. It still protects the likes of Saeed, Masood & Dawood, who are capable of a ‘non-state’ attack on India anytime.

Which Businessman wants to bet against another Mumbai26/11 and that his money will be safe on investing on these players??

Kavita:
>This is the same ordinary people who donate generously to LET fund

One of the grave misconception is that all of Pakistan wants war with India. The shocker is this: If Pakistanis were indeed so supportive of Islamic causes, Islamic parties would win everytime.. But stangely that isn’t so. Majority of Pakistan doesn’t like India, but don’t want a quarrel either – They are indeed more worried about ‘rozi roti’.

I am not saying there aren’t enough people supporting Islamic parties in Pakistan. I think there are about same percentage of intolerant people in Pakistan as there are in India – supporting VHP, Sriram Sena, SS, MNS goons)…

The difference really is the Security Establishment. In India it is under a civilian govt. in Pakistan it is out of control. The security establishment actively protects a proxy war outside of Pakistan, and Pakistan civilians have long lost control of their armed forces.

Peace between India and Pakistan isn’t possible (irrespective of what Kuldip Nayyer thinks) till Paki army is brought under Pakistani civilian control.

But, how can India be served by weakening Pakistani civilians?? How does it help India to increase number of people opposed to India in Pakistan?

First of all Pak is not at all interested to cope India (26/11 mumbai attack). And Second thing is that they send terrorists as if they don’t have balls to fight straight away against India(Kashmir issue).

Pak really deserve this.

Bust one thing we should appreciate is their UNITY which is quite less in India(Divided) compared to Pak. All media, govt, hockey team even cable operators shouted against IPL 2010.

Pakistan has to realize now at least and change themselves so that in the end they shouldn’t be banned from this World.

This is what I call “Prithiviraj Syndrome”. Pakistan is a soveriegn country ably adminsitered by USA, let them sort out the tussle between civilian and military leadership. At the end of the day it does not matter which party wins, they all have a visceral hatred towards India. We should stop this hair splitting between civilian and military in Pakistan. Benazir bhutto who was hailed as a moderate leader started the taliban to infiltrate and create trouble in kashmir. Nawaz Sharif another moderate slyly got a list of RAW agents from our brain dead PM IK Gujral and the entire RAW network in pakistan was compromised. What civilian support and people to people to contact are you talking about?

Every time India has offered a hand in friendship Pakis have bitten it. Wake up.

Like the first RAW chief R N Kao rightly said, let the papistanis stew in their own juice.

The solution (for protagonists of “Pakistan Insulted”) maybe in introducing a Quota for Pakistani players in each IPL franchise. Since they believe they are contributing to the kitty by watching the game, maybe they have a right to this quota (*snicker*).

Pakistani minister demands respect. Ha Ha, let them first respect the value of human life and stop terrorism. I am not at all surprised at exclusion of Afridi. Look at Afridi’s record in KFC T20 Bash, 48 runs in 5 matches for SA Redbacks. SA Redbacks find themselves in finals only because of Pollard Shaun Tait, Daniel Harris. Afridi’s batting was horrible against NSW. He was in a mood to spank bowlers, when actually the situation demanded him to play sensibly.
As far as franchisees are concerned, they had no compulsion to pick Pakistani players. Last year franchisees did not bid for Aussies. Aussies never whined about it. Pakistan should understand that IPL is business, more or less “corporate” face of cricket.

It is really upto the owners of the teams to buy whom they want. If they are not ready to invest on the Pakistani player then there is very little or nothing for the Government or BCCI to do. At the end it will come to the Investment return the owners will get from the players they buy in.
Afridi played in the IPL First season ..everyone knows what contribution he made to Deccan Chargers. Becoming successful in IPL is different from other types of matches.

It isn’t my case that Paki’s don’t hate Indians. They hate us just as much as we hate them. Which is, most of the time we are indifferent, but when it comes to any specific thing we are sort of antagonistic and less than warm about them. But, do we wish to fund some terrorists to go and attack them? Majority of us won’t, but I am sure there will be a few folks who would.

The reason we need to distinguish the difference is because – We have three choices in case of Pakistan.

1. Violent path: Call Paki Army’s bluff. Declare a war which clearly defeats and wipes out the Army of Pakistan and its nuclear weapons. Then manage Pakistan to make sure it can never have militaristic policies there again – which are mostly Anti-India driven.

2. Do covert operations in Pakistan, thru their seperatists and extremists to break that country up in to small pieces. In doing so risk the distribution of its atomic weapons into the hands of small disparate groups of militia. All such previous attempts by any nation has had blow-backs in one form or another. LTTE & Bindhranwale being our examples.

3. Hope & help Pakistani citizens get their rogue Army under total and unquestioned civilian control. An empowered civilian govt. has far too much at stake to conduct a war with India. All Indo-Pak wars (covert and overt) happened at the instance of the Army. All civilian support to such wars were in reality a ruse to gain/continue in power, as power in Pakistan came from Army, not from civilians. Reverse that – and priorities of politicians too change.

You better pray it is the last outcome that works, instead the first two. First two options may wipe us all out. That’s too big a risk.

Kavitha:
I knew of Prithviraj, but I couldn’t see a similarity here… I am not saying we shouldn’t fight Pakistani army or people who attack us.. My question is to the intelligence of snubbing non-attackers. I just don’t see them as same folks.. If they are, then why not arrest and execute all pakistanis in India for Mumbai Attacks?

You seem to forgive and forget whatever has been done by Papistanis, its Government, its people in the last 60 years and keep bending over and greasing up every time papistani’s want to s#$%w us.

If only Prithiviraj had killed this Ghori monster in the first battle of Tarain, Prithviraj would have stayed alive longer. But alas, Prithviraj Chauhan was Harkol of his times and the rest is history.

There is a difference between Forgiving and Forgetting.. I am not advocating forgetting, but I do advocate forgiving. The idea is simple – Carrying a grudge isn’t going to take us anywhere.

I believe Indian Govt. should refuse to co-operate with US on its policy of pampering pakistan army. It should oppose tooth and nail any armament and defense aid to pakistan. But, as a bigger player and a power that’s order of magnitude bigger, it should have magnanimity to extend an arm of friendship to People of pakistan…

Alternatives aren’t too good.. If you can think up a good alternative may I be enlightened?

It is not in our national interest to go to war with Pakistan. It’ll economically ruin us and set us behind by couple of decades.

It is not in our interest to rattle Nuclear Sabre, as it’ll scae away investors (just like in 2002).

We can conduct a covert war with Pakistan by pouring a couple of Billion Dollars in troubled regions of Pakistan. But, this is a two edged sword. If our govt. supports religious fanatics, or any other type of anarchist forces, then these very forces will come back to bite us.. Has happened before.

So, you think letting US deal with it is bad? In fact, it is just as intelligent as what Jayewardene outsourcing his battle with LTTE to IPKF.. Atleast for a while he bought peace and provided a formidable enemy to LTTE when things went bad. Srilanka could never have defeated LTTE, without India being pissed off with LTTE.

The only peace that’s possible in the region, will happen either when Pakistan goes thru a popular revolution and Army is relegated to the background or if Pakistan is broken into 3-4 countries, each being small enough to be of threat. I believe we are headed in one of these two direction. Pakistan army can’t last long without active support from US, and US will stop Supporting only after being bitten hard (just as IPKF was)…

It is absolutely in our interest to let Pakistan become an adversary of US.. It is fast becoming one..